DUNDEE UNITED could be set to sign Jonny Hayes after manager Robbie Neilson confirmed that the Tannadice side were looking to bring the versatile Irishman in on a free transfer. Speaking to BBC Scottish football podcast, Neilson discussed a potential deal for Hayes as Scottish football wrestles with the impact of Coronavirus.

“Jonny has been a great player over the years and is one we’ve spoken about. They are two players we are interested in.

“We need to strengthen in the team, but it’s just dependent financially on where we are. We don’t know when crowds will be allowed back in. Scotland is not like the English Premier League, we need fans to come in for the budget.”

The Irishman, who always gave everything to the shirt, has already been linked with an English Championship duo ahead of next season. Hayes, who turns 33 in July, will be hoping that he gets game time wherever he ends up.

“If you’re on the outskirts and not playing each week then it’s an easier decision to be made.

“But when you are involved and playing, it comes down to football. Maybe, for whatever reason, if I’d stayed at Celtic, I might not have got as much game time.

“I’m a little bit older now, it’s probably better for me to go out and play more regularly.

The club confirmed last month that the Irishman would be leaving the club after three years at the club. The Irishman posted an emotional farewell on Friday night and the club announced that the 32-year-old, along with Jozo Simunovic, would be leaving the club.

Hayes played 68 times for Celtic and scored twice. His first goal was against Aberdeen in his debut season; however, his second goal was at Ibrox in which the Irishman emptied the ground as his late goal sealed the three points for Neil Lennon.

Celtic have been linked heavily with Lawrence Shankland in the last year; however, Neilson confirmed that the interest that the Tannadice side had received was thus far from English sides but that no concrete bids were made. With 29-goals last season. Shankland is regarded as one of Scottish football’s emerging talents and no wonder he has been linked with Celtic and a host of other clubs but Neilson believes he should remain in the Premiership.

“There’s interest, but nothing concrete. The market for teams interested in Lawrence is in England and they aren’t even back playing yet. So until that opens up I don’t think there will be any movement.

“Lawrence should prove himself in the Premiership, try to establish himself in the Scotland set-up and then look to make his move.”

Celtic reportedly tried to poach Shankland in January with recruitment chief Nicky Hammond watching the hitman as well as scout Tosh McKinlay. Although the club appeared to cool their interest when Klimala arrived as well as the resurgence of Leigh Griffiths.

Celtic have been linked with Shankland following his impressive season with the Tannadice club. However, reports back in January suggested that the club would not move for Shankland following the signing of Klimala in the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old insisted to Football Daft Podcast that nothing had materialised from any reported interest and that he expected more interest soon following the opening of the transfer window.

“It’s always the same – it’ll probably start again soon.

“If you’ve done well, people just automatically [think]any time there’s a scout at the game

‘they’re there to watch you’ – and they’re probably not, they’re there to watch somebody else.

“With Stoke, Rangers and Celtic that was the three strongest rumours and I hadn’t heard from any of them at all.”

Should Celtic and United be in a position to deal, a move for Shankland would only make sense if Celtic were to lose any of their four strikers. Shankland is unlikely to want to play second or third fiddle to Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths.